Prefabricated siding for buildings



May 31, 1960 F. WORKMAN Em 2,938,376

PREFABRICATED SIDING FOR BUILDINGS Filed Oct. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVBNTORS FKA/va: Woe/MMM 0 /M Jef/65,2

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ATTORNEYJ May 31, 1960 F. woRKMAN ET AL 2,938,376

PREFABRICATED SIDING FOR BUILDINGS Filed OC. 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2da?. 6 gmww ATTORNEYJ` United States Patent O J .2,938,376PREFABRICA'IED SIDING FOR BUILDINGS Francis Workman, 1632 N. JeffersonSt., and Leo N. Scheer, P.O. Box 246, both of Huntington, Ind.

Filed oct. 29, 1956, ser. Ne. 618,985

' 2 claims. (ci. 72-19) The present invention relates to prefabricatedsiding for buildings. f

Heretofore sidings, of aprefabricated type, have lacked sufficientstrength anddurability to hold the bricks or other building elements vinplace during transportation and incident to handling in the erecting andinstallation of the same, and it-isan object of the present invention tocure this deliciency and provide-an integrated structure of backing,bricks and thebonding elements that will efectually-prevent the Vstoneor brick from coming loose from the backing, while at the same timeproviding a completely waterproofed construction which will -permitexpansion and contraction and will withstand any temperaturesencountered in the environment or climates where buildings may beerected having use for this character of siding. vSimilarly the sidingis exible and can be fitted to walls that are warped or otherwiseuneven. Where thepaneling is to be attached to a long wall, a flexibleexpansion joint can easily be utilized if-the wall is uneven. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a prefabricated siding andmethod or process for producingthe same in which is embodied and'incorporated stone and tile in' addition to lbrick to enhance theappearance vof the sidingand thus increase its marketable value whilemaking the improvedsiding adaptable for indoor aswell as outdoor use.

lIt is a still further object of the invention to incorporate in animprovedsiding certain interlockingv features by which the-bricks `orother building elements employed are not only bonded strongly-tothe-backing but are also mechanically anchored thereto to insurea'closely knit integrated structure which is light, strong and easilylhandled both transportationwise and in the laying up in the wall. l

' The invention has for its further purpose and object to provide animproved process for the fabrication of such-siding in which fewand-simple steps are required for the assembly,` bonding and anchoringof the several elements into -the prefabricated structure, all of` whichsteps lmay be conducted in av central factory, the siding beingthereupon transportable to locationV for incorporation in .the buildingstructure. The invention-will also eliminate the need of-additionalfoundation" to carry the pane1$ .V .-5 y

vlThe building units will be approximately 1A their normal thickness,decreasing cost and, rmore important, weight, while not affecting theutility of the prefabricated structure;'::=;.. 1f; .31., L'.; "1LT:

The type of locking or key device will permit the replacement ofindividual building units without thev nec essty -of'removing the entirerow offbricks.

AWith the foregoing-and other"objects in view, the invention'will--bemore fully describedV hereinafter, and will be moreparticularly Vpointedout-in the claims appended hereto. 'u Y j In the drawings, wherein likesymbols refer to like or corresponding' parts throughoutY the severalviews:

' Figure 41 is a-fragmentary-isometricview of prefabricated sidingconstructed in accordance with the present invention and attached to abuilding studding.

l Figure 2 -is a fragmentary vertical section taken through same onan-enlarged-scalet -f 2,938,376 Patente@ Me? 3 1 1969 Figure 3 yis anisometric'view of a form of brick or building element employed.

' Figure A4'is also a fragmentary isometric view showing a form "ofbacking employed with a rib and swivelly mounted,l clip` or anchor.

Figure 5' is a sectional view taken on an enlarged scale through' one ofthej'oints showing the locking anchor in` place with installed mortarand adhesive.

Figure`6 is an edge elevational view of the backing showing the "ribsand' clips or anchoring elements in the turned Alocking position. i

Figure'7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the siding showingsome of the locking elements in original position and o thersturned intothe interlocking posi- Referring more particularly to the drawings 10kdesignatesa backing member of board having ribs 11 projecting 'outforwardly from the same to be in a horizontal running position when'thesiding is laid up in the wall.

'Ifo't'he'V ribs 11 are swivelly secured clips or anchors 12,.forinstance of lflat sheet metal so that the same may berotatedto'thepositions indicated in full and dotted linesin Figure 4.For this purpose it is convenient to employ a swivel pin having a shank13, a head 14 and divided or forkedlegs 15 into backing and extending upinto mortar. A disc or perforated washer 16 may alsobe employed in thisconnection, being mounted on thev shank 13 between t he end of the rib11 and rotatable clip v12. The use 'of such' disc or washer willfacilitate the turning'of.v the clips or anchors 12. The clips oranchors 12 have openings 17 therethrough receivable on the shanks 13fofthe swivel pins as a bearing for the clips. If itrisl found morefeasiblethe clip attachment 12wi1l be accomplished bythe manufacturer of thebacking material when the material has just been formed and has not yethardened. The legs`15- of the clip 12 will extend both into the backingmaterialr 10 and into the mortar 2 1 to` form a bond between same asshown in Figures Sand 4. Y vBricks or other masonry element 18, shownmore particularly in Figure 3 are adapted to be mounted to the backingboard 10 and these bricks 18 are preferably formed with longitudinalgrooves 19 which, when laid up in the wall, run in a substantiallyhorizontal direction with'the adjacent grooves 19- of the adjoiningbricks 18 disposed opposite one another and in close though spacedrelation, such spacing being governed by the widths of the ribs 11 andthe interposed adhesive 20' therebetween. These grooves -19 may'receiveboth the adhesive 20,l and the'mortar or cement 21 as indicated moreparticularly in` Figure 5, the adhesive and mortar forming keys in thegrooves to bond the bricks `18 to permanent alignment and alsoto providea permanent interlocking joint with the spread clips or anchors 12 asalso shown in Figure 5, As an loptional additional element, whereneeded, there may be provided an insulating boardv 22 axed tothe insidesurface ofthe backing board 10i in any appropriate manner'.V` Nailsorfother lfaste'nings 23 may be employed to secure the siding to thestuds 24 or any type masonry In carrying out the improved process thebacking board 10 maybe'laid ina substantially horizontal position upon`the' ground; iloorfor other-support at va'- central pointorfactory`wher`e the improved siding may be manufacturedin quantities.The ribs 1-1 will be upstanding and the clips orV anchors 12 Varev thenattached to the upper exposed endsof rthe ribs 11 at suitable spacedypoints therealong. The-attachment is made by vinserting the legs 15f`ofthe swivel pin throughV the--openingfl' in-a selected clip orl'an'chor12, Iit being understood that initially the legs 1S are n in closesubstantially parallel relation? ship like theAsimilarpaitsof--a-paperclipi Thes^e-legs are similarly inser'tablethrough the opening in the Washer 16 if it is desired to employ suchdiscs or washers.

In driving the swivel pins into the ribs 11 the legs 1S will becomespread in the-manner indicated in Figure lso as to render theinstallation permanent. Otherrnethods ofA attaching clip rto ribs can.befused.: The/clips or anchors 12 can thereupon be rather readilyrotated upon the Shanks 13 of the swivel pins; r Ordinarily these clipsor anchors 12, which are preferably of substantially the same width asthe Width of the ribs 11 may occupy the dotted line position indicatedin Figure v4 in which such clips or anchors extend longitudinally inalignmentfwith the lengths of the ribs 11. However, ,when use .isrequired these clips or anchors 12 are rotated through approximately 90degrees toY the cross-wise'position' indicated at full linesfin Figures4 and 5. i

The upper surface of the backing boardr is coated with adhesive which isrun up along the sides ofthe ribs 11 and up to the top of the swivelclip (anchor). The bricks 18 are thereupon installed upon the adhesive20 with the side edges of the bricks beingbrought up close against theadhesive coated walls" of the ribs `11 as 'shown in FigureSL BeforeQorafter the assembly of the bricks 18 to the backing board 10, theclipsoranchors 12 are turned tothe crosswise'position Yshown in fullrlines in Figures 4 `and5, in which positionthe portions of the clips oranchors 12 which extendbeyond the sides of the ribs 11 entersubstantially centrally in the grooves 19 of the adjoining bricks' 18which abut at opposite, sides of the same rib 11. Mortar or cement 21 isthereupon poured into the spaces between adjoining bricks 18 above theanchors and ribs 11 so that thisf'mortar or bonding material will tlowinto the opposed grooves 19 of adjoining bricks 18 and form keys 25therein which will prevent the bricks 18 from havingany relative inwardor outward movement with respect to the siding unit.` This cement alsoflows to the clips or anchors 12 and `consolidates above the anchors andoutwardly beyond the edges thereof which preferably do not extend .allthe way through the grooves 19. .Thekeys therefore also interlock withthe anchors 12, the bricks 18 being ytherefore bond-ed to the backingboard 10 by adhesive 20 and also by the cement or mortar bond 21 asWell'as by the keys 25 and the interlocking anchors 12. v

Also the adhesive 20 will bond with the keys 25 where the same arebrought into contact in the grooves or recesses 19.

While the insulating board`22 is optional, it will enable a builder toapply the improved panel directly to the studding of a house orbuilding.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention provides anon-breakable backing on which .to place any design of brick work,stone, ceramic or other facing building units. The panel also containswaterproof and weatherproof adhesives that are much stronger thannecessary. The use of such adhesive added to the improved anchoringsystem through the use of keys attached to the ribs enable the panel toWithstandmuch rougher handling than will normallyoccur. The entire panelwill be more rigid and will stand more abusethan four-inch thick brickor ceramic wall under shock conditions for ease of handling andtransportation.

It is also understood that the ribs for the bricks will or may occurboth between the vertical and bed joints.

The building units used in this prefabricated stone wall may and in mostcases will be approximately 1/3 of the thickness of the ordinarybuilding units. feature will reduce the cost and weight of the completedwall but will still retain the appearance of ordinary brick or stoneWall. The utility of this prefabricated wall will not be affected by theabove because experience has shown that brick, even though exposed toradically changing temperature and inclement Weather, over a number ofyears. The key or anhor device. use@ in invention ptovides a muchstronger bond than provided in existing inventions.

The method of anchoring and attaching the building units to the backingpermits the replacement of individual bricks without the necessity ofremoving the entire row of bricks.; f

The manufacture of, this prefabricated wall requires fewer integralsteps permittingfabrication at a factory of a practical, usable, andnon-breakabl'e prefabricated wall with greater ease of transportation.`

This prefabricated wall with its improved interlocking and/or key devicewith improved backing and Waterproof 4adhesive provides a waterproofandmoisture proof wall which is more rigid and stronger than an; ordinarybrickwall.

.Although we have disclosedl herein the best form of the invention knowntom us at this time, we reservethy right to all such modicationslandchanges as may com within the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is: Y l. In a prefabricated structure for use as anexterior wall for buildingsya backing board havinga pluralityof spacedribs projecting outwardly therefrom, pins extending into said outwardlyprojecting ribs and projecting outwardly beyond said ribs, a clip memberrotatably secured to each o f said pins intermediate the ends thereofso` that each pin extends outwardlybeyond its clip member, a pluralityof buildingblocks assembled on said backing board and disposed againstthe sides of said ribs, said building blocks having grooves formedtherein on opposed sides thereof so' that said building blocks areformed in an H configuration when viewed in cross section, the groovesof adjacent blocks being located in opposed relation and receiving theends of said clip member therein, and bonding means disposed betweensaid blocks and lling said grooves thereinaboutsaid clip members, saidgrooves, said clipmembers, the extension of said pins, and said bondingmeansdetining a key for retaining said blocksin position on said backingboard.

- 2'. In a prefabricated structure for use .as` an exterior wall forbuildings, a backing board having a plurality of spaced ribs projectingoutwardly therefrom, pins secured in said ribs, a portion of said pinsextending outwardly substantially beyond the outer surfaceof saidribsclip members mounted on said pins `and being rotatable with respectthereto, said clipmembers being initially positioned on said pinsparallel with respect to said ribs, a plurality ofbuilding blocksassembled on saidrbacking board and positioned in close proximity to thesides of wear very little even said ribs, said building blocks havinggrooves formed on opposed sides thereof, the grooves formed in adjacentblocks being positioned in opposed relation and receiving the ends ofsaid clip members when said clip members are rotated from the initialposition thereof to a position perpendicular with respect to said ribs,4and bonding -means disposed between said blocks and filling saidgrooves therein about said clip members and encompassing the extendingportions of the pins to secure said blocks in position on said backingboard.;v

References Citedin the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

